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Aman Batheja

@amanbatheja.bsky.social
25K followers 1.1K following 2.5K posts

Senior Political Editor at TIME Magazine. Background in economics and TX politics. Formerly New York Times, Texas Tribune. Dad. #washingtondc @nytimes.com Signal: @amanbatheja.46

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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
“…and he’s the only white guy who is legally allowed to say ‘Wakanda Forever.’”
vulture.com
Somebody Shut That Dog Up!
The curious case of the dog with the memoir.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Trump, quoted in the pool report from today's Columbus Day event: "You know this guy, I call him Muhammad Al-Sayed. Some people call him Abdul, I call him Mohammed. Somebody said why? I said, 'I don't know.'"
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Mr. Paxton’s recounting of the Servergy transaction began at a Dairy Queen in McKinney. In the deposition, he said he intended to invest $100,000 in Servergy and met Mr. Mapp there to give him a check. Mr. Mapp turned down the money, Mr. Paxton said, and instead gifted him 100,000 shares of stock.
Mr. Paxton attributed Mr. Mapp’s generosity to his religious beliefs.

“I said, Well, who do I make the check out to?” Mr. Paxton told the government lawyers, according to the deposition. “He said, I can’t take your money. God doesn’t want me to take your money
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Sahil Kapur @sahilkapur.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Social Security comes up in MAINE Senate debate: As we reported, Troy Jackson calls for lifting payroll tax cap on higher incomes to raise more revenue. Susan Collins, who previously called for a commission, revises her position tonight, saying she'd like to "adjust the cap" too.
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The Onion @theonion.com · 08/10/2026
From The Archive: DOJ To Bring Back Firing Squad As Means Of Entertainment
theonion.com
DOJ To Bring Back Firing Squad As Means Of Entertainment
WASHINGTON—In an effort to provide some joy to the nation and boost overall well-being, Justice Department officials announced plans Monday to bring back firing squads as a means of entertainment. “Fo...
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
“Data center companies routinely point to construction employment when making the case for incentives. But when the senators’ staff asked for comprehensive information about permanent employment, several of the companies refused to provide it…”
time.com
Exclusive: Senate Investigation Challenges Big Tech’s Case for AI Data Centers
A new report co-authored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren argues that major tech firms are misleading the public about the costs and benefits around data center projects.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Two headlines, less than 3 hours apart
Trump says us will not attack Iran before midterm election
Trump Is Considering a Plan to Strike Iran Before the Midterms
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
"A bronze bust of Robert F. Kennedy has sat on the lawn outside of the D.C. stadium named for him for decades...Now, it’s gone missing."
washingtonsun.com
Bust of Robert F. Kennedy Is Missing From Namesake Stadium
The statue “was removed by an unknown manner” and there is no known suspect.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
I have never before seen a political hit dragged out this long. Texas Tribune is now reporting on the FOURTH(!) leaked clip from a Paxton fundraiser from two weeks ago. "The person who recorded it declined to share the full conversation. It was unclear how many more leaks there may be."
texastribune.org
Paxton suggests cutting federal benefits in newest leaked audio
In a conversation that has been leaked in pieces to multiple publications, the GOP Senate nominee called for “reasonable cuts to mandatory spending,” which is driven by Social Security, Medicare and M...
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
New: Democrat Justin Pearson got attention over the summer for continuing to run for Congress after the district was gerrymandered. It was seen as a symbolic bid more than a viable one. Now the DCCC is investing in the race, suggesting the prospect of Pearson winning is no longer so crazy.
time.com
He's Running In a District Trump Won By 21 Points. Democrats See an Opening
Democrat Justin Pearson campaign for a Tennessee district gerrymandered by Republicans was added to the DCCC's coveted Red to Blue list
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Trump last night in Texas: “Now he says he loves meat. But he’s a vegan. … He wants to eat a little piece of lettuce…He’s sick because he’s been forced to eat meat for political reasons. And he’s throwing up all over the place.”
time.com
At San Antonio Rally, Trump Warns He’ll ‘Never Forgive’ Texas if Talarico Wins
The President returned to deep-red Texas to rally for Ken Paxton’s Senate bid, while revealing at times his own trepidation that one of the Republican Party’s longest winning streaks may be about to e...
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
At a rally tonight in Texas, there were signs Trump is very worried that one of the Republican Party’s longest winning streaks may be about to end on his watch. At one point, he said he’d “never forgive” Texas if Talarico wins
time.com
At San Antonio Rally, Trump Warns He’ll ‘Never Forgive’ Texas if Talarico Wins
The President returned to deep-red Texas to rally for Ken Paxton’s Senate bid, while revealing at times his own trepidation that one of the Republican Party’s longest winning streaks may be about to e...
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
The top election official in Nevada is so convinced Trump will try to seize ballots, he has a fully written "Mad Libs" legal filing ready. He just needs to add plaintiff, defendant and jurisdiction. He says the goal is to file the lawsuit “within seconds” of agents showing up at a polling place.
time.com
‘We Have to Punch Back’: Top Nevada Official Prepares For Trump's Election Havoc
The state's top election official tells TIME the Trump Administration will likely try to seize ballots or send ICE to the polls. He's ready for both.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
The top election official in Nevada is so convinced Trump will try to seize ballots, he has a fully written "Mad Libs" legal filing ready. He just needs to add plaintiff, defendant and jurisdiction. He says the goal is to file the lawsuit “within seconds” of agents showing up at a polling place.
time.com
‘We Have to Punch Back’: Top Nevada Official Prepares For Trump's Election Havoc
The state's top election official tells TIME the Trump Administration will likely try to seize ballots or send ICE to the polls. He's ready for both.
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Philip Wang @philipwang.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
My conversation with NV Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar who is preparing for every scenario after the Election Day, including legal challenges from the Trump admin and ballot seizure: time.com/article/2026...
time.com
‘We Have to Punch Back’: Top Nevada Official Prepares For Trump's Election Havoc
The state's top election official tells TIME the Trump Administration will likely try to seize ballots or send ICE to the polls. He's ready for both.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
"More voters hold a favorable than unfavorable view of James Talarico...despite more than $115 million spent attacking him...Abdul El-Sayed’s favorability actually increased by five points since August to 47 percent, Fox News surveys show, despite $76.2 million in attacks."
washingtonpost.com
Half a billion dollars in GOP spending does little to move polls
Republicans’ massive money advantage has yet to reshape the midterm map, as Democrats keep expanding their ambitions.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
“The President’s Truth was not referring to reimbursement,” a White House spokesperson told The @washingtonsun.com Tuesday. "In another statement sent to The Sun...a White House official confirmed that Trump will only pay for the ads 'moving forward.'"
washingtonsun.com
Trump Does Not Plan to Reimburse the Government for Taxpayer-Funded Ads
The president pledged to pay for the ads himself, but he will not help the government recoup the federal dollars already used for the spots.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
"More than 40,000 people in total have been deported to countries not their own by ICE and Border Patrol since President Donald Trump's return to office, according to preliminary government data shared with Reuters."
reuters.com
Trump's deportation push forces dozens of LGBT migrants onto hostile terrain
Two years ago, a mob assaulted Abdou Latifou and threatened to kill him after he was seen kissing the man he loved.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Despite the polls showing otherwise, Republicans are still hopeful they can flip New Hampshire's Senate seat. The reason comes down to one word: Sununu.
time.com
Why Republicans Still Think They Can Flip New Hampshire's Senate Seat
New Hampshire Senate race has become one to watch, as John Sununu tries to outrun Donald Trump’s unpopularity
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Multiple news outlets have asked Troy Jackson, who replaced Graham Platner in the race against Susan Collins in Maine, if he considers himself a socialist. Jackson has refused to answer the question.
time.com
Democrats in Key Races Embrace 'Capitalist' Label
Troy Jackson, who is running against Republican Susan Collins, declined to say if he views himself as a capitalist or socialist.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
In multiple Senate races—Texas, Michigan, Florida—Democrats are making a point of identifying themselves as "capitalists." “I am a capitalist,” James Talarico said in an interview after complaining that Republicans were trying to paint him as a socialist
time.com
Democrats in Key Races Embrace 'Capitalist' Label
Troy Jackson, who is running against Republican Susan Collins, declined to say if he views himself as a capitalist or socialist.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"Attorney General Todd Blanche has moved slowly in abortion pill litigation...department officials have told advocates to wait until after the election."
washingtonsun.com
White House Officials Told the DOJ to Delay Action on Abortion Ahead of the Midterms
Attorney General Todd Blanche has moved slowly in abortion pill litigation and department officials have told advocates to wait until after the election.
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Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
New: Jasmine Crockett was offering government relations & lobbying services on a campaign-funded website. It was taken down after Zeteo reached out. Experts say they’d never seen something like this before. Rules bar members from lobbying and from using campaign funds for non-campaign purposes.
zeteo.com
Jasmine Crockett Offered Lobbying Services on Her Campaign-Funded Website – While in Office
The offering was removed after Zeteo contacted the Texas Democratic congresswoman’s office.
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Charlie Warzel @cwarzel.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
For a long time I've wanted a sense of how trump has or hasn't interacted with chatbots (we know he posts a lot of slop sure). And this TIME anecdote about Grok arguably leading Trump into war is just extremely bracing
Since returning to office, Trump has marveled at AI’s capabilities. He is increasingly in thrall to the tech executives courting him. In December 2025, Elon Musk returned to the Oval Office for a clandestine meeting. Trump spent hours asking Grok, Musk’s AI chatbot, questions about his presidency and legacy, according to an official present. At the time, Trump was ordering missile strikes against Venezuelan boats he alleged were smuggling drugs into the U.S. He asked Grok how Venezuelans would react if the U.S. captured Maduro. According to the official present, the chatbot responded that Maduro was a repressive and deeply unpopular dictator and that many Venezuelans would likely celebrate his downfall. After Trump ordered the mission to seize Maduro, the following month, celebrations broke out in the streets. Trump, according to officials, came away thinking Grok was ingenious.
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Karl Schamotta @karl-schamotta.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Waller bragging about FRED this morning, and justifiably so: www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
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Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Today's Reliable Sources lead: Trump's TIME interview is one giant media grievance It begins and ends with Trump’s complaints about the media. Even when asked about Iran or the Senate, he circles back around to his feelings about how his presidency is covered... www.cnn.com/newsletters/...
cnn.com
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LaCiuraRaffaele @laciuraraffaele.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
How James Talarico Made Texas Competitive Again time.com/article/2026...
time.com
How James Talarico Made Texas Competitive Again
The Texas Democrat is vying to build the broadest coalition possible to beat Ken Paxton. “Democrats should reclaim the principles of capitalism," he tells TIME
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Taegan Goddard @politicalwire.com · 30/09/2026
How James Talarico Made Texas Competitive Again politicalwire.com/2026/09/30/how-ja…
politicalwire.com
How James Talarico Made Texas Competitive Again
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Talarico: “I think Democrats should reclaim the principles of capitalism...When corporations felt a responsibility to their workers and their community. That's the kind of capitalism we have to get back to.”
time.com
How James Talarico Made Texas Competitive Again
The Texas Democrat is vying to build the broadest coalition possible to beat Ken Paxton. “Democrats should reclaim the principles of capitalism," he tells TIME
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Talarico, on the prospect of working with Republicans in Congress: “If I can do it in the trenches of the Texas legislature, I can do it with Ted Cruz in Washington, D.C.”
time.com
How James Talarico Made Texas Competitive Again
The Texas Democrat is vying to build the broadest coalition possible to beat Ken Paxton. “Democrats should reclaim the principles of capitalism," he tells TIME
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Earlier this month
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Talarico: “I think Democrats should reclaim the principles of capitalism...When corporations felt a responsibility to their workers and their community. That's the kind of capitalism we have to get back to.”
time.com
How James Talarico Made Texas Competitive Again
The Texas Democrat is vying to build the broadest coalition possible to beat Ken Paxton. “Democrats should reclaim the principles of capitalism," he tells TIME
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
New in TIME: How James Talarico made Texas competitive again "Talarico knows he needs to build a broader coalition than any other Senate candidate in the country. He needs to convince millions of Texans that not only this year is different, but that he’s different."
time.com
How James Talarico Made Texas Competitive Again
The Texas Democrat is vying to build the broadest coalition possible to beat Ken Paxton. “Democrats should reclaim the principles of capitalism," he tells TIME
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
“A number of students told me they’re less likely to rush sororities and fraternities. A young woman told me somebody handed her an open drink at a frat party Saturday. Her whole friend group panicked.”
nytimes.com
Cornell’s Sexual Assault Case
We talk to a reporter on campus about what we know.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“Fetterman has sent fundraising appeals through email addresses associated with Republican candidates and committees…Another fundraising email sent this month from the gopsquad handle came with Sen. Mike Lee…and began, ‘I just got an email from John. He's basically a Republican now.’”
time.com
'He's Basically a Republican Now': Fetterman Asks GOP Donors For Cash
John Fetterman, who Democrats fear might join the GOP, is argeting Republican donors with "reject Socialism" emails ahead of a possible re-election bid in 2028.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Trump hosting a "Midterm Rally" on Thursday in Durant, Oklahoma
events.gop.com
Midterm Rally in Oklahoma featuring President Donald J. Trump
Sign up for a ticket TODAY!
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Washington Sun: The White House's app "contains a latent keylogger script sourced online from an amateur developer based in India...While it’s unlikely to work on mobile devices, Fields said, it’s still concerning that the White House is using a keylogger web-sourced from an foreign coder."
washingtonsun.com
White House Drove Users to Official App Fraught With Trackers
The White House app became the App Store’s most downloaded news app after the president barred three news outlets.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Cattle associations say ICE is disrupting cattle operations in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, "and will make beef prices spike again."
texastribune.org
Cattle groups call out ICE operations for workforce disruptions
The beef industry has been under pressure recently from market disruptions, record high beef prices and small herd sizes. The groups say the ICE operations are another challenge for the industry.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
no worries. i didn't think you were
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Fair point
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
From this weekend's Texas Tribune festival: Later in the evening, an audience question asked why Fetterman wouldn’t become an independent. "Because I’m a lifelong Republican,” he said, raising his hand to his head, embarrassed after he realized the slip.
texastribune.org
John Fetterman rejects claim that he's a bad senator, Democrat
The Pennsylvania senator has regularly criticized his party, sparking speculation he could caucus with Republicans after the 2026 midterms.
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Hugo Lowell @hugolowell.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
TRUMP will meet Anthropic’s Dario Amodei for one on one dinner tonight, per person familiar and confirming Axios
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
“It was the first time that the President of a country at war with the United States has been allowed to pay a visit.”
newyorker.com
Iran’s Bitterness and Bewilderment Over How to Make Peace with Trump
After a heated week at the U.N. General Assembly, a new ceasefire proposal between the U.S. and Iran came and apparently went.
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Tyler McBrien @tylermcbrien.com · 25/09/2026
Amid Trump admin plans to admit 17,500 more Afrikaners, this story making headlines in South Africa hasn't gotten much traction in the US: an Afrikaner family lost US refugee status after returning to South Africa to treat their sick child because they still had medical aid there
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Judy Berman @judyberman.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The other list ain't so bad, but I do love my weird lil baby
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Senator Sheldon Whitehouse @whitehouse.senate.gov · 24/09/2026
My Budget reform proposal got rid of the debt ceiling, and instead required regular reporting of Debt-to-GDP ratios. The information is more useful, and it’s not a dangerous “bear trap in the bedroom” ready to go off and cause harm. time.com/article/2026...
time.com
A Debt Ceiling Fight Looms in 2027. Could a Democratic Congress Make it the Last One?
Trump wants to scrap the debt ceiling. Rep. Brendan Boyle sees a rare chance for bipartisan reform if Democrats win the House.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
"Rep. Zach Nunn voted last week to curb Trump’s deeply unpopular war against Iran—a month after campaigning with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is running that war."
time.com
Republican Panic Sets In Over Prospects of a Massive Blue Wave
Some of the biggest warning signs are coming from red states Trump easily won two years ago.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Politico: Trump is airing a pro-Trump midterms ad on TV that -includes “paid for by the U.S. government” disclaimer text -features a song by an artist who says they didn’t approve it’s use and are now looking for a lawyer
politico.com
Trump administration launches pro-Trump TV ad ahead of midterms
The 30-second ad, apparently paid for by U.S. tax dollars, features photos and videos of Trump, the American flag and military aircraft.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Via Steve Deace, a prominent Trump ally in Iowa: "Iowa House Republicans were informed by their own pollsters that if you are in a +15 district you’re within the margin for error, if you’re in a +10 district you’re underwater”
time.com
Republican Panic Sets In Over Prospects of a Massive Blue Wave
Some of the biggest warning signs are coming from red states Trump easily won two years ago.
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Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
New: "With less than six weeks to go until Election Day, the sentiment among Republicans is shifting from nervous to fatalistic...The warning signs are coming in quickly from across the map—much on it from red states where President Trump won comfortably just two years ago. "
time.com
Republican Panic Sets In Over Prospects of a Massive Blue Wave
Some of the biggest warning signs are coming from red states Trump easily won two years ago.
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